The Town Crier Informing Middleville and Thornapple Township Residents ~ Spring 2019 Edition ~ THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP & MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 CHECK INSIDE FOR: Village & Township A New Amphitheater! Information Entwined with the Village’s East page 2 Bank Development (along the * * * Thornapple River) is a new event Meet the Staff venue which is being sponsored page 3 by the Middleville Downtown * * * Development Authority. An Growth & Housing/ amphitheater will soon be gracing Joint Planning our riverbank! It will be available page 4 to showcase the talents of local * * * artists as well as host musicians Wellhead Protection/ and artisans from anywhere and Downtown Parking everywhere. The map shows the page 5 placement of the amphitheater * * * along the Thornapple River. Emergency Services/ Performers will have their backs Middleville Parks page 6 to the river and audiences will be able to see the river while being * * * entertained. Property Tax Update/ Looking Ahead page 7 * * * Community Center/ Community Garden/ Parks & Rec Update page 8 * * * Cemetery Update/ Where Do My Tax Dollars Go? page 9 * * * Community Photos page 10 * * * 2019 Riverbank Music Series Concert Lineup page 11 * * * 2019 Middleville Events page 12 The Lofts of Middleville Targeted to begin in May, the Lofts of Before Middleville at 101 E. Main St in downtown Middleville will finally begin construction. The After Lofts of Middleville received acclaim in October 2018 when the Village announced the commencement of the project during a celebratory kick-off event. The long-awaited project has been a topic of discussion for promoting adaptable reuse of historic buildings in a downtown setting. As rehabilitation begins, you will witness momentous improvements to the exterior, including the removal of unsightly metal siding, installation of plank boards, repair of tuck point masonry on the existing brick, restoration of the cast iron posts, new siding, replacement and installation of new windows, and landscaping. The interior will be renovated into four two-bedroom apartments, accessible by an enclosed stairway in the rear of the building. The main level is planned for approximately 3,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail space, and the lower level is planned for 2,400 sq. ft. of office and service space. Upon completion, the Lofts of Middleville will establish the high standard of redevelopment in the Village of Middleville for decades to come. — 1 — THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP & MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 From the Village Manager Township Thoughts Let’s talk about Middleville, other people are! We were recently Welcome to springtime in beautiful Thornapple Township. We look highlighted in an article through the Michigan Economic Development forward, once again, to sharing information about where we’ve been and Corporation (MEDC) about the redevelopment of 101 E. Main Street. where we’re going as a township. This Crier is filled with dates, times and This is an investment of approximately $900,000.00 in downtown places of local events for 2019. Hopefully you will be able to get this fun Middleville. Middleville was one of four Michigan communities chosen as stuff on your calendar and join your friends and neighbors at some of these part of a pilot program for the marketing of publicly owned property. This great events. You will also find interesting facts about your taxes and where project will promote the development of 112 E. Main, the greenspace they go. What is TAPP and how does it affect me? What in the world is between Champs and the Village Hall, which is the former location of the “Wellhead Protection” and why does it matter? This Town Crier deserves St. James Hotel. This project is a collaborative effort between MEDC, your cover-to-cover attention! Redevelopment Ready Communities, the Michigan Municipal League, and Using your replies to our survey, a team of eighteen (18) township the Village of Middleville. A project such as this will bring more business residents, with guidance and facilitation from the Barry County Economic activity to our downtown along with a possible residential component. Development Alliance, created a strategic plan/path that is guiding the We have already seen increased interest in business relocation and Board as we grow and move forward as Thornapple Township. Your development in the Village of Middleville. responses inspired a Vision Statement: “Your vibrant and natural Early in the last 15 years we experienced some economic struggles, but community, with a small-town heart.” and a Mission Statement: “To with hard work and an improving economy we have reached our stride maintain effective government contributing to sustainable growth through and are experiencing healthy growth. To grow is healthy, but we need to sound investment while preserving the small-town heritage, recreational be sure in growing we maintain the connection and character that our spaces, active agriculture and the rural feel of our township.” Your long-time residents have known, and has attracted our new residents to Township Board uses these two (2) statements as reference points when this community. they make their decisions that impact our community. The growth we are experiencing has been due in part, to the The wheels are in motion to expand Mt. Hope Cemetery, extend the strengthening economy, but mostly due to the efforts of all the members Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail, enlarge the Duncan Lake Sewer System of the community. In the past several years we saw unprecedented capability, improve the usability of the Thornapple River and to welcome industrial growth and stability with large employers such as Bradford new residents without losing our rural character. We continue to work with White, H & L Manufacturing, and Accurate Machine and Tool. Barry County to educate and encourage residents to recycle. Our dedicated We have seen impressive entrepreneurial growth with ChemQuest, staff continues to professionally handle the questions, comments, and Advanced Stone and Tile and Euro Lighting. There have been many concerns of our residents. Add the fact that we have one of the most changes in our business landscape with new ownership of Champs, Shear respected school districts in the State and it’s no wonder that we are Pleasure/Lox Hair Salon, the Nook as well as the additions of The Broken growing at the rate we are. Smoker, Delski Meats, Thornapple Credit Union, and The RiverDog, to The Village and Township continue to work together on a Joint Planning name a few. Area along our mutual border. The respective Planning Commissions of Not that many years ago, young professionals were moving out of the our two entities are working together to ensure a mutually beneficial set of community to look for opportunities. That has changed, young guidelines for the potential need of expanded water and sewer services professionals are now choosing to do business in Middleville as well as (among other things). There is exciting and positive energy and ideas make Middleville their home. being shared as the groundwork is being laid. The northwest corner of I have spoken about some of the economic growth and the positive Barry County is still the best place to call home and we’re working hard changes that have happened in Middleville in recent history. The to keep it that way! economic outlook in Middleville is good, thanks to people such as yourselves that have a positive attitude and outlook and a strong connection Sincerely, to the community, which can make anything possible. I tell people that I Mike Bremer am proud to be the Manager of the Village of Middleville, I am proud of Thornapple Township Supervisor the people and the businesses of this community. I don’t live here because I have to, I live here because I choose to. Sincerely, Duane Weeks Manager Village of Middleville Middleville Village Hall Thornapple Township Hall 200 E. Main Street, Middleville, MI 49333 100 E. Main Street, Middleville, MI 49333 Hours: Mon-Thurs from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Hours: Mon-Fri from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (Fridays by appointment only) Phone: (269) 795-3385 Phone: (269) 795-7202 Website: www.villageofmiddleville.org Website: www.thornapple-twp.org — 2 — MEET THE STAFF Twp. Elected Officials Township Staff Cindy Willshire Brad Williams Catherine Getty Chief Chad Klutman Dan Scheuerman Clerk Enforcement Officer Planning/Zoning Adm. Randy Eaton Captain Assessor Deb Buckowing Mike Bremer Laura Bouchard Royal Shilton Sandra Egleston Sandy Williams Stephanie Skidmore Treasurer Supervisor Deputy Treasurer Firefighter/Paramedic Firefighter/Paramedic Office Coordinator Deputy Clerk Township Trustees Village Council Curt Campbell Jake Jelsema Amanda Fisk Charles Pullen Ed Schellinger Trustee Trustee Ross DeMaagd Sandy Rairigh Mike Cramer Mike Lytle Phil Van Noord Sherry Ronning Trustee Trustee Village Staff Brian Urquhart Duane Weeks Asst. Village Manager Alec Belson Don Dekema Charlie Miller, Robert Simmons, Alec Belson, Planner-Zoning Admin. Village Manager Dustin Moma, Jim Hilton - DPW Crew DPW Director Code Enforcement Off. Tim Stevens Elaine Denton Alexandra Longstreet Glorimar Ayala Jen Jones Megan Lavell Nichole Lyke Sheriff's Dept. Village Clerk Finance Director Adm. Asst.-Deputy Clerk Gardener Market Master DDA Director Middleville Unit — 3 — GROWTH AND HOUSING IN MIDDLEVILLE / JOINT PLANNING Growth and Housing Are you a new resident of Thornapple Township? We are glad you’re here! Welcome to Middleville, a wonderful place to live and raise a family or just settle down and enjoy the flavors of small- town life. For those who have been here awhile, you have witnessed the rapid growth first hand. There is more interest in opening businesses and residential development in the Village and Thornapple Township. Our schools are busting at the seams and more programs and events are being planned to support healthy living, work, fun and education. The word on the street is “growth”. Our community’s growth is showing in the numbers of permits the Village and Township has approved.